Spanish

Intent

At Sibsey Free Primary School, we aim to provide an engaging and enjoyable Spanish curriculum that develops children’s confidence, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning another language. Through the teaching of Spanish, we aim to foster an appreciation of different cultures, traditions and ways of life whilst preparing children to participate successfully in an increasingly interconnected world.

Using the Language Angels scheme as the foundation of our curriculum, we intend for children to develop secure knowledge and skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. We want children to communicate with increasing confidence and accuracy, understand how language works and recognise the value of learning another language.

Through the study of Spanish, children develop linguistic knowledge, intercultural understanding and transferable communication skills. We want children to leave Sibsey Free Primary School with a positive attitude towards language learning, confidence in using Spanish and a strong foundation for future language study.

Implementation

Our SIBSEY curriculum principles for Spanish.

S- Secure Knowledge and Vocabulary

We prioritise the explicit teaching of vocabulary, phonics and language structures. Children build upon prior learning and revisit key vocabulary regularly to support long-term retention and confident application. Through the Language Angels scheme, children develop their knowledge progressively, enabling them to communicate with increasing accuracy and independence.

Children are introduced to essential vocabulary and simple sentence structures before progressing to more complex language, including grammatical patterns, verb forms and extended speaking and writing. Vocabulary is carefully sequenced and revisited throughout the curriculum to ensure that children remember and apply their learning over time.

Children develop their understanding of pronunciation, intonation and spelling through regular exposure to spoken and written Spanish. Opportunities for retrieval and repetition help to strengthen confidence, fluency and long-term retention.

I – Inclusive and Accessible

We are committed to equity of access. Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of all children, with appropriate scaffolding, support and challenge so that everyone can succeed. Our Spanish curriculum is intentionally designed to facilitate high-quality teaching as a powerful lever to support children with SEND.

Aligned with EEF guidance, learning is carefully structured through clear modelling, repetition, guided practice and frequent opportunities for retrieval. Visual supports, speaking activities, songs, games and interactive resources help children access and retain new language.

Language Angels provides a progressive framework which allows teachers to adapt learning to meet the needs of individual pupils whilst ensuring that all children can participate successfully in language learning.

B – Broad and Diverse

We recognise the limited diversity within our immediate community, so our Spanish curriculum is designed to broaden children’s perspectives and develop their understanding of different cultures and communities.

Through learning Spanish, children gain insights into the traditions, customs and daily life of Spanish-speaking countries. They develop an appreciation of cultural diversity and begin to understand similarities and differences between their own experiences and those of others around the world.

Children learn that language is an important part of identity and communication and develop respect for different cultures, languages and ways of life.

S – Sequenced and Coherent

Our Spanish curriculum is carefully and purposefully sequenced, ensuring that children build upon and connect their existing knowledge. Attention is paid to vertical coherence through carefully planned progression in listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and pronunciation.

The Language Angels scheme provides a clear progression model that systematically develops children’s knowledge and skills over time. Learning is organised so that previously taught vocabulary and language structures are revisited and applied in new contexts, strengthening understanding and retention.

Children move from single words and simple phrases towards increasingly complex sentences and conversations. Prior learning is deliberately revisited, strengthened and extended to ensure that language knowledge is securely embedded.

E – Evidence Informed

Our teaching is grounded in research and the science of learning, including retrieval practice, spaced learning, explicit instruction and regular opportunities for review. We regularly evaluate and refine our Spanish curriculum in light of current evidence, best practice and developments in language education.

The Language Angels scheme provides a carefully sequenced curriculum that supports long-term retention through regular revisiting of previously taught vocabulary and structures. Frequent opportunities for speaking, listening, reading and writing help children to consolidate and apply their learning.

Assessment is used effectively to identify misconceptions, inform future planning and ensure that all children continue to make progress in their language learning journey.

Y – Young People with Aspirations

We nurture ambition and aspiration, preparing children for the next stage of education and for the opportunities and challenges beyond Sibsey. Through Spanish, children develop communication skills, cultural awareness and confidence that will support them in future learning and life experiences.

Children are encouraged to take risks when communicating in a new language and to view mistakes as an important part of the learning process. They develop resilience, curiosity and a willingness to engage with people and cultures beyond their immediate experience.

Through this, children become confident, reflective and ambitious learners who appreciate the value of languages and understand the opportunities that language learning can provide in education, employment and everyday life.

Impact

By the time children leave Sibsey Free Primary School, they have a secure understanding of key Spanish vocabulary, grammar and phonics and can apply this knowledge with increasing confidence and accuracy.

Children can listen attentively and respond appropriately to spoken Spanish, communicate through speaking and conversation, read and understand age-appropriate texts and write using familiar vocabulary and structures. They demonstrate increasing fluency, accuracy and independence across all areas of language learning.

Children understand and appreciate aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures and can make comparisons between different ways of life, traditions and experiences. They demonstrate curiosity, respect and openness towards different languages and cultures.

Progress in Spanish is evident through pupils’ ability to listen, speak, read and write with increasing confidence and competence. Assessment is integrated through retrieval practice, classroom discussion, speaking activities, written outcomes and end-of-unit assessments. Assessment information is used to identify misconceptions, inform future planning and ensure that knowledge and skills are securely embedded and built upon over time.

Work in Spanish supports learning across the curriculum and prepares children well for the next stage of education and for life as confident, culturally aware and globally minded citizens.